Can a damaged lateral nerve in the thigh be fixed?

Posted by agray8503 @agray8503, Apr 25, 2024

I have meralgia paresthetica in my thigh and my doctor thinks the nerve is damaged because I’ve had the pain for 17yrs. I’ve tried all kinds of pills, physical therapy, steroid injections and nothing helps. I was told all those years that it was my sciatic but had a nerve test done and that’s how they knew it’s meralgia paresthetica. Is surgery an option since the nerve is damaged?

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 25, 2024

@agray8503 Hello, I had to look and see exactly which nerve was involved. It looks like surgery (not sure whether it is to sever or release the trapped nerve) is sometimes considered as a last resort.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meralgia-paresthetica/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355639
Now that you have a diagnosis, what does the doctor recommend?
Sue

psl60 | @psl60 | May 21, 2024

I started having MP in December, the pain is not severe. I use sport therapy tape, this has help a lot on the nerve pain.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | May 26, 2024

This might help you decide on a treatment. Although, surgery should be your last option after all others failed.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11575913/